Flag Football
 

Fields

• The League rents fields from the city to provide our leagues. Please respect the fields so we can continue using them.
• Leave the fields the way you found them. Please pick up your garbage.
• Please be respectful of the neighbours, homeowners and the surrounding community.
• If there are any issues with one of the neighbours, please be courteous and polite, and report any issues to The League office.
• The League and the city do not allow alcohol or any controlled substance on any fields.
• Players are responsible for all property damage.

Playing Area

• Captains will use the pylons provided by The League to set up the field.
• The playing area should be 100 yards X 40 yards.
• There will be 80 yards of playing area with two 10-yard end zones making up the difference.
• Each team will mark one side of the field with the pylons.
• If the field width is approx. 40 yards you can use the lines marked by the city. If the field width is larger, you can either use the extra space or use the markers to narrow the field.
• There should be 1 pylon on each side of the field approx. 10 yards from the field goal line, this is the end zone.
• If the field is longer than 100 yards you can shorten the field by making the end zone larger.
• The remaining pylons should be spread out between the two end zones.

Roster

• There will be 6 players on the field at one time. At least two must be female.
• Teams can sub players in at any stoppage of play. Teams are also encouraged to have subs if needed.
• Teams can add to their roster at any point. Player info for every additional member must be sent to The League prior to them being allowed to play.

Equipment

• The league will provide teams with flag belts for a rental fee.
• Metal cleats are not allowed.
• All players must bring a light and dark coloured shirt. Captains will decide prior to the game, which team wears light and which wears dark.

Defaults

• If a flag football team is not ready 10 minutes after the posted game time they will lose by default 10-0. We recommend the game be played regardless if possible.
• A minimum of 4 players need to be present at the start of the game to avoid a default. A least 1 player must be female. If the minimum requirement is not met, the team that is short players will lose the game by default 10-0.
• If a team defaults one game then they will be required to pay a default fee by e transfer before their next game. If this is not paid then all games will be updated as a default loss and the team will not be scheduled anymore games.
• If a team misses two games then another default fee will need to be paid in order to have any future games scheduled. A meeting with the league will occur to determine if this league is the right fit for your team. If a second default fee is not paid then the players on the roster will not be allowed to play in any future sports.
• If a team misses more than two games then this is not the right league for your team. You need a drop in league and the players on the roster will not be allowed to play in any future sports.
• If both captains agree, the minimum requirement rule can be waived and the game will count towards the standings. This must be decided upon before the start of the game and teams cannot change their minds once the game has started.

Officiating

• All leagues are self officiated. This means players are responsible for making their own calls.
• This is an adult rec league and we rely on our players being honest. When you are guilty of an infraction don’t assume no one saw you. Captains should speak up and call their own players fouls if they see them.
• Not calling your own infractions will also negatively affect your team’s sportsmanship rating and standings.
• Teams should not be making calls on the other team, but if necessary please do so in a polite and respectful manner.

Any reckless, aggressive, threatening or unsportsmanlike behaviour will result in being ejected from the game or league. Team captains should report any issues with the opposition.


Zero Tolerance Policy

Rec League staff reserve the right to remove players immediately from any facility or league if they are involved with any of the following acts:

• Using racial, ethnic, homophobic, fatphobic, gendered, transphobic, sexist, sexual, disability or other slurs
• Instigating or retaliating in an altercation
• Intentionally pushing, shoving, or making physical contact
• Displaying disrespectful or threatening behavior
• Swearing at another person

If a player is removed for any reason, they must vacate the facility immediately, including the parking lot.


Pre-Game  

• Teams will have 5 minutes to warm up.
• The game will consist of two 25-minute halves and a five-minute intermission.
• Captains will flip a coin or play rock/paper/scissors to determine which team receives the ball first. The other team will receive the ball in the second half.
• After the coin toss – the kicking team will punt the ball from their 10-yard line. Teams should mark where the 10-yard line is with one of the pylons provided by The League.

 

Kick-Offs and Punting

• Start each half and after each scoring play.
• The kicking team will punt the ball from their 10-yard line. You may also use a kicking tee.
• The kicking team cannot recover a kick, even if the ball was touched by the receiving team
• If the ball travels out-of-bounds through the opponent’s end-zone, then the receiving team will start possession on the 10-yard line. There is no single-point given to the kicking team for a touchback
• If the ball is kicked out of bounds the receiving team begins their offensive downs where the ball left the playing field.
• When receiving a kick, the kicking team must give the receiving team 5 yards from the ball before they touch the ball.
• The punting team can down a punt. If the receiving team has not touched the ball, the punting team can touch the ball to down the ball at that place on the field.
• The kicking team cannot gain possession or recover a punt, even if the ball was touched by a member of the receiving team.

 
Offense 

• The offensive team (team with the ball) has four downs to get a touchdown.
• There are no first downs
• If the offense does not score in 4 downs the result is a turnover
• Each down is played from the middle of the field. 
• All forward passed must be overhand. Once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, forward passes are not permitted.
• Lateral and backward passes are unlimited.
• The play will begin with the quarterback “hutting” the ball to himself (centers are not needed to hut the ball).
• Once a team gets inside the opposing teams end zone, either with a pass or running play, they get 6 points.
• After the touchdown, the offensive team will them make an attempt for the extra point. The offense will have one attempt to get the ball into the end zone.
  • The team may choose to start from the five-yard line – If successful it will be worth 1 point, or from the 10-yard line – If successful it will be worth 2 points. Captains should pace out 5 or 10 yards from the end zone line to start the extra point play.
• If a pass is dropped the play is over and the offensive team begins the next down. If the pass is not complete on the fourth down the defensive team gets the ball from the line of scrimmage where the offence finished.
• The offensive team can either punt the ball or attempt a play on the fourth down.
• The play is over when one or more of the offensive player’s flags are pulled off them, or if any part of the body touches the grass – besides their feet or hands.
• Pick plays are not allowed.
  • Pick plays are any cross pattern there the offensive player crosses the field in an attempt to pick a player to free a receiver.
• If a player on the offensive team loses a flag while running, then the play is dead. If they lose the flag during or before a catch, then play is dead at the point of reception.
• Flag Guarding, jumping, or divining to avoid flags from being pulled results in play being dead.

Defence

• The defensive team must count to five before crossing the line of scrimmage. The quarterback cannot run across the line of scrimmage until the defensive player has crossed the line of scrimmage.
• When counting, the defensive player should count out loud “1 steamboat, 2 steamboat, etc.”
• If the defensive team does not rush the quarterback (enabling the quarterback to cross the line of scrimmage) the quarterback has until “10 steamboats” to pass the ball. If a pass isn’t made by the count of 10, the play is dead. In order for this rule to be in effect, the defence must continue counting to “10 steamboats” out load so everyone can hear.
• Blocking, tackling, pushing, tripping or any other physical contact is not allowed. There is no flexibility with this rule.
• There are no points awarded for a safety. Safety is when the offence loses a flag in their own end zone. The next down will take place on the 1-yard line. If the play occurs on the 1-yard line, the defence then becomes the offence and their first down occurs on the 1-yard line.

Penalties

If there is a penalty on the offence, the play does not count, and the team will start their next down where they started the previous down before the penalty.
If there is penalty on the defence the following options are available to the offence.

• Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.
• Play the next down from the spot where the foul occurred.
• Decline the penalty and let the play stand as is.
  • The two captains should discuss the penalty to ensure both teams are aware of it. Both teams must agree on the penalty. If both teams do not agree, then the play is replayed.

General Game Rules

• If the defensive team intercepts the ball, they become the offensive team. Except when a team is attempting and extra point, when this occurs the play is dead.
• After a touchdown and the extra point attempt the offensive team will punt the ball from their 10-yard line to the opposing team.
• When teams are substituting players in/out, they must not delay the game.
• Team may have huddles, but they are not to be more than 15 seconds. If the opposing team is complaining about the length of the huddle, please hurry to keep the game moving.
• The offence can do a “hurry up” offence and not have a huddle. When this takes place, they do not need to wait for the defence to be ready.
• Players are not to cover up any part of the flags. If necessary shirts must be tucked in.
• Flags must be placed on the hips.
• There is no overtime is regular season play and overtime rules for playoffs will be set before the playoffs begin.
• A fumbled ball is dead once it touches the ground. The last team to have possession of the ball gets the ball at that point. If the ball is fumbled on the fourth down, the ball is turned over to the defence and they will start the play from the same point as where the fourth down took place.

Alcohol Consumption

• The League and the city do not allow open alcohol at any public venue or field.
• Any player or team found to be under the influence of alcohol, or other controlled substance, will be automatically ejected from The League without refund.
• All fines will be the responsibility of the teams. Teams will lose every scheduled game and will not be scheduled any other games until all fines are paid.

Weather

• Because the season is short and field availability is limited, rescheduling games is very difficult.
• When deciding to use a field during or after inclement weather:
  • Do not use the field if there is standing water (e.g. puddles) on the field.
  • Do not use the field if water squishes under one’s feet when walking on the turf.
• If it is raining prior to your game, teams are to show up at the field regardless and wait 15 minutes for the rain to stop. If the rain does not stop and it is raining too hard to play, the two captains are to agree on a day to reschedule.
• If it has been raining for a prolonged period of time the fields will not be open.
• If the fields are closed, out of respect you should contact the opposing teams captain (if they are not present).
• If it begins to rain after you started the game and you can play though it, you should do so. It is up to the captains to decide if the game cannot continue.
• After half way through the game, it will not be rescheduled and the leading team after half will be declared the winner.
• If you do not contact the other team to let them know you are not going to make it and they show up, then it will count as a default to your team. If the fields are open games should take place and will not be made up. 

Rescheduling

• The League will not reschedule games for any other reason than weather. 
• Should you cancel your game you will lose by default.
• We will make up rained out games, but it is the captain’s responsibility to discuss with the opponent when a suitable day/time to make up will be. We do have fields on many days, so games can be made up on any of these days but both captains must agree.
• Once a date and time have been agreed upon The League should be notified and then we will schedule your game on an available field.
• All games must be made up prior to the final regular season game. If they are not made up before the final game, then the score will not count towards the standings.

Sportsmanship

This is a rec league and we expect all players and teams to have a fun first attitude. To help enforce this style of play we ask all teams to report the sportsmanship rating of the opposing team after every game.
2 – Good, fun spirited team, respected their opposition and made the game enjoyable.
1 – Was not unsportsmanlike, but didn’t go out of their way to make the game enjoyable.
0 – Was not a fun team to play. They made the game less enjoyable and did not respect the opposition.
If a team gets two 0 ratings in one season The League will decide whether the team is fit for this league and may remove them from the schedule.
Any complaints about the opposing team should brought to the attention of The League and be done in a respectful and polite way at the after the game.


Scores

• Captains are responsible for sending scores and sportsmanship rating within 24 hours of game.
• Captains should confirm each other’s scores throughout the game.
• If scores are not reported by the end of the regular season they will not count towards the standings.
• Scores should be emailed to scores@saskatoonrecleague.com

Refunds
Registration fees are fully refundable, minus a $20 processing fee, up to 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the season. After this, the league assumes you have committed and all fees are non-refundable. We require this time frame in order to create teams and to complete scheduling.